Gulak and Kalisto go at it to start, and the luchador gets the better of the early exchanges, before Jack Gallagher and Gran Metalik get tagged in. Again it's a luchador with the edge. TJP and Lince Dorado then go at it, and yet again the masked men are in control.

Kalisto back in there and some nifty moves before a tag with Lince Dorado and TJP takes more punishment. Standing moonsault for the first cover, followed by a dropkick. Then a TRIPLE MOONSAULT from the lucha trio against each of their competitors as we go into the break.

After the break the bad guys finally have an in, and Jack Gallagher is desconstructing Lince Dorado joint by joint, while Drew Gulak disposes of Gran Metalik before joining in on Dorado. Dorado finally changes the complexion of things with a counter, but TJP flings him outside.

Jack goes to the second rope but Drew disagrees with the whole idea... after some back and forth, Gallagher falls to the floor and misses. Then it's Gulak and Metalik and the pace goes up a notch, with Metalik flying round the ring, it ends with an elbow drop off the top but Gallagher breaks up the pin.

Then there's another flourish that ends with Kalisto getting a two-count on Gulak. Another quick exchange and it's TJP and Kalisto at things, and there's a bit of sparring and SALIDA DEL SOL. One, two and THREE.

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WINNERS: Kalisto, Lince Dorado and Gran Metalik

Hard to say too much about that. The arena is still nearly empty, which doesn't help the atmosphere, and the Cruiserweight Division is still in that state of pause until it gets its new General Manager. That said, all six men did their bit, and we're especially big fans of Gentleman Jack Gallagher, and he stole the match with that hilarious moment with Drew Gulak on/off the second rope. It's shaken the ice off the ring, anyway. C+

Karl Anderson and Scott Dawson are at it first, and it's a pretty even exchange of fists (and kicks) with a total absence of flips. Gallows gets tagged in to give him a hand and it ends with Dash Wilder wincing in pain.

Wilder thinks he's tagged in but the ref isn't happy and delays it. Eventually we get a proper tag and Dawson gets some ring-time, but Gallows is totally in control as we hit the break.

As we get back, Scott Dawson has just been tagged in again, and now has an in, doing some damage to Anderson's left thigh, which he keeps targeting. Then it's just non-stop-blows until he ties him up in the corner and The Revival double team Anderson.

Now it's Wilder's chance to twist that knee. Dawson back in to do the same. It looks pretty painful. Gallows is nowhere near the tag until Anderson gets some separation with a kick and he eventually counters the bullying into an impromptu pin attempt, but it's not enough. The Revival stop the pin once more.

Eventually Anderson does make the tag and Gallows is the hottest of tags, doing serious damage to both Dawson and Wilder with a flurry of big kicks. He tags Anderson back in, but his dodgy leg means delaying the Magic Killer. Anderson does manage to hit a spinebuster for two on Wilder.

Gallows is still full of beans... too many beans, as he goes running and flying face-first- into the post on the outside. In the ring Dash Wilder doles out a harsh looking chop block on Anderson and with the damage done earlier in the match, it results in the inevitable.

WINNERS: The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder)

A little more coherence than the Cruiserweights, and things are beginning to hot up a little. Again the ad break didn't do the match many favours, but they told a simple story pretty well here. The power of Anderson and Gallows was not quite enough once Karl tweaked that knee, and the compact aggression of Dawson and Wilder showed that Raw 25 was just a blip. It's great to have The Revival back, and great to see Gallows and Anderson doing some serious work again. C+

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WWE United States Championship: Bobby Roode (c) vs Mojo Rawley

John Cena elevated the US Title a while back with his regular Open Challenges on WWETV, and now it's Bobby Roode's turn. Coming out to meet the challenge is... MOJO RAWLEY. Oh, okay.

Some big shoulder tackles from Mojo but Roode hits back with a big forearm and takes control, and goes for an early Glorious DDT, but Rawley escapes it and flings Roode into the barricade. He follows it with a big push into that wall and drags him back for a two count as we hit the break.

Mojo's still in control when we come back, thwacking Roode in the corner of the ring. Eventually a belly-to-back suplex gives him a breath and an arm to the face a bit more. He flies off the second rope, but Rawley catches him.

It's still Roode though now, and he hits a big neckbreaker for two and looks narked off it wasn't more. Now it's chops in the corner, a Blockbuster off second. Again fails in the DDT attempt and Rawley gets an in with a massive spinebuster and follows it with some trash talk. Roode uses the time to recover and hit his own spinebuster.

A THIRD failed attempt at a Glorious DDT, and Rawley flings Roode into the ring post with a clang. Mojo tries to take advantage, but Roode recovers with the legs and hits what looks like a pretty weak DDT to be honest, but it's enough.

WINNER and STILL WWE United States Champion: Bobby Roode

A bit of a disappointment, truth be told. A perfectly adequate space-filler, but little more than that. And for a US Title match and Royal Rumble match (even the pre-show), we're entitled to expect a bit more. Nothing against Mojo Rawley, but there wasn't enough wow factor in him being the surprise competitor to answer that Open Challenge. Roode continues on, but we'll need a bit more intrigue and real surprise names if his Open Challenge is to come close to Cena's. C-

AJ Styles has the crowd behind him and Kevin Owens immediately tags himself out for Sami Zayn, and then back. AJ makes contact first, but KO stomps off for another tag. AJ gets the better of the grappling with Zayn, who then tags KO back in.

Styles catches KO with a headscissor and cuts off the tag, but Owens slides out the ring and back in to tag yet again. AJ catches Sami with a big drop kick and then back again. Owens finally gets a bit of joy with a flurry, and tags in Sami from a point of strength for the first time, later getting in a sneaky extra kick while the ref's back was turned.

AJ chops back at Sami, but Zayn hits a back body drop off the ropes for two. KO then flings AJ into the turnbuckle for another two. KO then throws AK into the barricade on the outside before getting him back in the middle of the ring for one, then a two-footed stomp before tagging in Zayn.

Styles powers up and hits both men with big forearms, but Owens counters into two and a half with a power move, turning it into a sleeper hold. He misses the cannonball and gets an ankle tweak in the collision. Could this be one-on-one now?

Sami and AJ in the corner, and Styles flings Zayn off the top rope and both men writhe around. Zayn tags in Owens, who gets a Pele kick from Styles for his troubles. Zayn back in, but a big boot from Styles cuts off the Helluva kick, and AJ turns a moonsault into a DDT.

AJ then gets a ridiculous move on both men, flinging Zayn out the ring, and then catches Owens in the Calf Crusher. Sami Zayn breaks it up JUST in the nick of time. Owens again goes for some power into a corner but AJ Styles again has the pace to dodge, meaning more pain for KO.

Back to Zayn and Styles in the middle and a sneaky superkick from KO on Styles puts him back into harm's way, BLUE THUNDERBOMB. One... two... th..KICK OUT.

AJ wriggles out of a hold on the top, and Zayn eats some turnbuckle. KO tries to get invovled but Styles hits him hard before teeing up a PERFECT Phenomenal Forearm, ONE TWO and KO causes the break.

SZ and AJ then exchange some massive forearms. And AJ stops the tag to KO (or so it seems), and Styles flings Zayn out the ring. Owens then gets involved with a Superkick, and goes for a Pop-Up Powerbomb, counters into a package and that's that!

WINNER and STILL WWE Champion: AJ Styles

Now that's how you kick off a show for real. After some middling pre-show matches, that was just what we needed. A really well-worked match that perhaps never completely caught fire but held the attention throughout. Some proper psychology at the start, and AJ Styles was just the man to overcome in that sort of match-up, and did so with panache. And that wrinkle of the Unlikeable Ones being screwed by a dodgy decision that they caused when KO went for the pin without actually getting the tag was just perfect. B+

Shelton Benjamin vs Jey Uso to start till a quick tag. Gable and Jey do a bit of Proper Wrestling and things calm a little. Gable and Jimmy now, and Jim puts a stop to that graps malarky with some forearms.

A chop block by Gable on Jimmy is built on by Shelton Benjamin, a resurgent figure in recent months. He's really working that Uso knee and ankle right now. Then back to Gable to do the same, and get a quick one-count.

Jimmy gets a few kicks with his other leg, but it's not enough. Benjamin tagged back in and it's back to that right leg. Oooof! It's all Gable and Benjamin right now. Back to Gable. A masterclass at the moment, but no pins to show for it. Now double-teaming Jimmy, and they clear Jey Uso from ringside for good measure.

At last Jimmy hits back with a couple of forearms and an enziguri, and it's enough to get a tag. Jey is full of energy and clears the ring and then FLYING USO, Benjamin is down out the ring. And then the same on the other side to Gable! Crossbody on Gable for two. This one has turned around in a hurry.

Back to the top from Jey, he misses, but he's back on his feet. Roll into a pin attempt, then Gable does the same after Shelton offers a cheeky knee, neither sticks. Then a Tiger Suplex from Gable and again it's just two.

Benjamin and Gable join forces, then Benjamin flings one Uso into another, hits a big move but it's just two again. Benjamin knocks an Uso out the ring, tags in Gable who does a perfect moonsault onto both Usos outside the ring. He flings Jimmy back in, but it's Jay who's legal and hits a Superkick. Then a SPLASH. Another two!

Shelton Benjamin stops an attempted double splash with a kick. Then Jey Uso catches Chad Gable in the ropes. SUPERKICK. Then a DOUBLE SUPERKICK on Gable and FINALLY we have our first pin.

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FIRST FALL: The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso)

Things restart quickly, and we suddenly have an Uso knocked out in the turnbuckle, and another outside. They dish out some damage rather than going for a pinfall just yet. Then they hit a massive double team move on to the outside to eliminate Jimmy from proceedings for now.

Gable hits an overhead kick just after tagging in Benjamin, who scrambles in but SHOCK! A cheeky small package from Jey and Gable is just too far away to get there!

SECOND FALL: The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso)

WINNERS and STILL WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions: The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso)

A really good, solid match. With the card being so packed we knew this wouldn't go on forever, so the way the falls were paced is to be applauded. The Usos really have turned it up a notch in the last 12 months or so to finally make good on all that talent with some character that shines through in everything they do. Shelton Benjamin is having an excellent second WWE career, and Chad Gable proved that he can do partner with anyone and between tags, do it all himself when it inevitably comes to it. B+

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Men's Royal Rumble Match

First in is Rusev, introed by Aiden English. He's joined by Finn Balor. They lock up and Rusev goes for an early elimination, but he lands on the apron and gets back in. He's giving up a lot of size here. A flurry of fists is stopped, but a dropkick has more impact. Next in is Rhyno.

Rusev and Rhyno go at it and Finn sits it out for a bit. Then Rhyno slams Balor to ECW chants from the Philly crowd. Rusev stops Rhyno eliminating Balor for some reason and hits a spinning heel kick. Next in is Baron Corbin who RACES in and flies about.

He slides under the ropes, back in and into Rusev. Rhyno floors him though. Corbin counters a Gore into a Deep Six and...

RHYNO IS ELIMINATED by Baron Corbin

BARON CORBIN IS ELMINATED by Finn Balor

The eliminated Corbin then slams Balor into the Barricade and then hits Rusev big too on the outside. It's all happening and Heath Slater is next in. but Corbin floors him on the approach! Then it's Elias coming to the ring with his guitar, giving poor Heath Slater a kick on the way. He's all by himself for now with Balor and Rusev (and Slater) out of action.

He's turned into quite the character from his sub-Johnny Cash nonsense in NXT, hasn't he?

Speaking of NXT... Andrade 'Cien' Almas is next in! Hot on the heels from his year-stealing match at NXT TakeOver last night. He's all over Elias with a fantastic flurry. The rope hammock, the running knee, a back elbow, Elias counters with a big clothesline.

Next in is Bray Wyatt. Like Cien did too, he gives Heath Slater (who still hasn't entered the ring) a battering. Finally Finn is back, but eats a big forearm for his trouble. Rusev gets to his feet three times, but Wyatt stops him getting to the apron. Then it's The New Day's music and Big E is there... he gets Heath Slater to his feet, and gives him some pancakes.

He goes toe-to-toe with Bray Wyatt, till Rusev floors him with a superkick. Then there's plenty of mini battles going on. In at ten (of course) is Tye Dillinger. Oh wait. He's still backstage, getting the bejesus beaten out of him by Kevin Owen and Sami Zayn. "I've got this... no I've got this."

Sami Zayn has entered the Rumble in Tye Dillinger's place! Cheeky! KO didn't look best pleased, for what it's worth. And at 11 it's Sheamus, who may regret this come his title match later today. He helpfully throws Heath Slater into the ring, and OH MY GOD.... off the ropes.

Heavens! On his birthday, poor Sheamus. At least he'll be fresh come his title match. Next in is Xavier Woods. He teams up with Big E for some team action against the men sprawled over the place, and they almost dispose of Elias. Next in at lucky 13 is Apollo Crews, on a run of good form these days.

Bray Wyatt tries and fails to hit Sister Abigail on Finn Balor, who counters with a stomp. Then the moment we've been waiting for. Shinsuke Nakamura in his first Rumble. The ring is PACKED. Nak gets Zayn on the turnbuckle, and it's there.

SAMI ZAYN is eliminated by Shinsuke Nakamura

Halfway, in at number 15, it's Cesaro. Again... should these tag guys be risking a Rumble prior to their match later tonight? Almas seemingly saves Balor from Cesaro's early flourish. In at 16 is the last member of the New Day (the other two still in there), it's Royal Rumble expert but never winner Kofi Kingston.

He gets thwacked by Cesaro for his trouble, but Apollo Crews tries to take advantage of the distraction with a big lift, but he ends up on the apron for his trouble, and after an uppercut...

APOLLO CREWS is eliminated by CESARO

At 17, it's ex-WWE Champ Jinder Mahal for his first Rumble, and he goes to work on Xavier Woods. And...

XAVIER WOODS is eliminated by Jinder Mahal

Big E and Jinder now on the apron and there's a kick and...

BIG E is eliminated by Jinder Mahal

In at 18 it's Seth Rollins, another man with a tag match coming. He flies in with a forearm on Wyatt, and then a slingblade and then one to Balor. Cesaro nearly eliminates him, but...

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CESARO is eliminated by Seth Rollins

Who grins madly.

Jinder Mahal flings Kofi over but Xavier saves him! And then, Big E to the rescue with a plate of pancakes! Kofi Kingston is bobbing about on one foot trying to get back in. His New Day buddies give him a leg up and he FLIES over Jinder to get back in.

All grins from Kofi now, But then Cien grabs ahold of him, is poised to toss him New Day side, thinks better of it and...

KOFI KINGSTON is eliminated by Andrade 'Cien' Almas

Then it's the entry of 'Woken' Matt Hardy, who faces off with Bray Wyatt. Then all of a sudden... they join forces!

RUSEV is eliminated by 'Woken' Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt

The men look at each other, and it's back to the battle of the strange, they rumble, they tumble and then...

'WOKEN' MATT HARDY and BRAY WYATT eliminate each other

And then, brrrrrappledough! It's John Cena in at 20. Then everyone piles in on Cena, before Elias decides he wants to take over... it'll only end one way.

ELIAS is eliminated by John Cena

And then it's a blast from the past The Hurricane. Cena and The Hurricane face off.

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THE HURRICANE is eliminated by John Cena

More scuffles, then in at 22 is Aiden English. Then it's NXT's Adam Cole, off the back of his hellacious Extreme Rules match with Aleister Black last night. His whole midsection is taped up. Then from nowhere...

AIDEN ENGLISH is eliminated by Finn Balor

Next in... it's last year's shock(ish) winer Randy Orton, looking for a back-to-back win. Cien FLIES off the top to the middle of the ring, but gets caught in an RKO and...

ANDRADE 'CIEN' ALMAS is eliminated by Randy Orton

Then at 25, it's Titus O'Neill. More one-on-one and two-on-one battles rage on, Titus targeting Adam Cole, but takes a series of kicks from Nakamura, responds by thwacking him into the turnbuckle. At 26 it's AWESOME. WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz, flanked by the Miztourage, for his umpteenth Royal Rumble (apparently, third-highest in history).

Miz plants Cena and follows it up soon after with a Skull Crushing Finale. Rollins flings Miz out but he lands on the apron. Now, it's 27... Rey Mysterio.

Wowzers! A big surprise and a MUCH better reception than that time he was a previous shock entrant in lieu of Daniel Bryan in 2014.

ADAM COLE is eliminated by Rey Mysterio

And he then hits a big 619 on The Miz. Now number 28... ALL THE BOOS for Roman Reigns. He wears them pretty well these days. He's back at the scene of his most divisive moment in Philly. He dishes out a load of forearms.

Then he goes toe-to-toe with The Miz, who's just nabbed his IC Title.

TITUS O'NEIL is eliminated by Roman Reigns

Reigns looks poised to eliminated The Miz, but he's saved by The Miztourage. Curb Stomp/Blackout from Rollins on Miz, followed by some double teaming and...

He goes straight for John Cena. Cena goes for an AA, but Ziggler wriggles out and hits a Superkick Then Randy Orton gets the same. Goldust does a bit better but ends up on the apron and another Superkick and

GOLDUST is eliminated by Dolph Ziggler

Dolph tunes up his kick for Shinsuke, but Nak counters and now it's Ziggles on the apron, and even though Nakamura can't finish it, flying over him comes Balor and...

DOLPH ZIGGLER is eliminated by Finn Balor

Reigns, Nakamura and Balor go face to face with Cena, Orton and Mysterio in a matchup of new vs old. These six men are left. AA from Cena on Balor. 619 from Mysterio on Reigns. RKO from Orton on Nakamura! 3-0 to the old fellas!

Then the elderly start picking on each other and in the confusion...

RANDY ORTON is eliminated by Roman Reigns.

Double 619 on Cena and Reigns from Mysterio, but that's that for the luchador...

"You both suck!", the crowd yell, and both men look around. Again, they can really wear those boos these days (Cena's been able to for years). Then Balor and Nakamura fly into them, flooring the unpopular duo before taking on each other.

Nakamura gets Balor on the apron, then a knee, but Balor survives and hits a big kick and gets back in the ring, only to eat some more giant kicks. Then a clothesline each from Cena and Reigns on Nakamura and Balor. Cena and Reigns face off and exchange blows.

Shoulder tackle from Cena goes to Samoan Drop from Reigns. Reigns cocks his fist, Cena blocks the attempt, sets up the Shuffle, but gets interrupted by a slingblade from Balor, who then doles out the same to Reigns. And one for Nakamura.

He's stopped by a massive kick from Nakamura, who goes for the Kinshasa, but is stopped dead by a MASSIVE stomp from Finn! But before he can be eliminated, John Cena pops up...

FINN BALOR is eliminated by John Cena

Cena points at that WrestleMania sign almost apologetically. And then there were three. Cena and Reigns take turns to rain blows on Nakamura, who gets floored, before the two big men have at each other again. Another attempt at the shuffle from Cena and this time it connects. He gets him up for an AA, but Reigns wriggles out and hits a soft Superman Punch.

Reigns looks at Cena but then kicks Nakamura out the way so he can set up a Spear. But Cena catches it and turns it into an AA. Nakamura tries to take advantage but Cena then powers out. Cena gets on the apron and OMG, first a kick, then a run-up, then another kick...

JOHN CENA is eliminated by Shinsuke Nakamura

Two men left. Both Raw. Roman Reigns. Shinsuke Nakamura. ALL the chanting is for Nakamura. COME ON! Yells Nakamura, and they exchange blows. Reigns dispenses a Superman Punch. He flings Shinsuke on to the apron and he saves himself with a kick.

Shinsuke gets Reigns in a triangle FROM THE OUTSIDE having already gone over the top rope. Reigns lifts Nak back into the ring to break the hold and hits him with a powerbomb. Both men are down.

Reigns goes for a Spear, Nakamura blocks it with a knee, then another kick, then sets up for a Kinshasa, but that gets countered into a Spear! Both men are down. Reigns looks at the Mania sign, lifts Nak to his shoulders, but Shinsuke powers out and as they bounce off the ropes Nakamura hits a massive kick and OH WOW.

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ROMAN REIGNS is eliminated by Shinsuke Nakamura

WINNER: SHINSUKE NAKAMURA

Shinsuke Nakamura is asked who he wants to face at WrestleMania and... to the absolute elation of the Philly crowd... he has three syllables for them.

A.

J.

STYLES

YES!

Put simply, the best Royal Rumble in recent memory, and not just because of the very worthy winner and the incredible WrestleMania match it sets up. Really well-paced, excellent use of NXT talent, and some fine surprise entrants mixing up comedy and some serious action. And for the first time in years, things came together really well in the final third of the match with the right eliminations at the right time, in the right way. A

The trio from this match in the Rumble didn't really have enough time for this to impact, and Jason Jordan is totally fresh. It starts with Rollins vs Cesaro and Rollins starts well. Then he takes on Sheamus.

Jordan tries to get involved, but that just opens it up for Sheamus and Cesaro to double team Rollins, who can't quite tag in Jordan. Rollins then fails again as Cesaro pulls the former American Alpha man off the apron and into the turnbuckle. As Rollins checks on him The Bar take over.

Sheamus goes to the top with Rollins prone, and hits a clothesline. Doctors are attending to Jordan after that collision with the ring earlier. Rollins is just about staying alive as the double teaming continues.

Finally Rollins wriggles out of a manoeuvre and ducks away at the last minute so Sheamus goes into the turnbuckle. Cesaro is still fit and fighting though, does Seth have enough? Rollins hits a slingblade, then a blockbuster, a suplex, then a roll-up for one and a bit. Then a Falcon Arrow for two, then Sheamus breaks up another pin attempt and dishes out the uppercuts.

Rollins again gets a bit of joy on the ropes, and then double splashes on both men, and finally Jason Jordan is alive!. He tags himself in! But he looks concussed as he grab his head and tags Rollins back in, who looks livid. As Rollins remonstrates Cesaro and Sheamus look to take advantage.

The Shield man stays alive, but it's back to two-on-one, and after a quick tag, Sheamus hits a Brogue Kick, then tags for a double-move and that's all she wrote.

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WINNERS and NEW WWE RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Bar (Cesaro and Sheamus)

A really tough spot to fill after that Rumble, and the crowd were understandably pretty dead throughout. But all four men did well here. The Bar are back as champs AGAIN, which is where they should be, and there's enough ambiguity about just how hurt Jason Jordan was there to keep things open for his relationship with Seth Rollins, but you've got to assume that's that for now? B-

Lesnar starts off attacking Kane, then Strowman flies into Lesnar and Kane both, flooring Lesnar with a dropkick. Strowman hits Lesnar with a massive knee. Lesnar has Strowman but then Kane chokeslams Lesnar. This is a frantic beginning.

Lesnar gets some time out the ring, and Kane sets up Strowman for a Chokeslam, but Lesnar intervenes with a steel chair on Kane. Strowman then punches the chair out of Lesnar's hand! Lesnar salutes the crowd.

Strowman flings Lesnar into the barricade. We've never seen Lesnar bashed around like this. Strowman bangs Kane, then Lesnar with the steel steps. Strowman flings away a steel chair from under the ring, and chooses a table. And another table. The crowd murmur in appreciation.

Things slow down a bit as Strowman sets up his second table in the corner. Kane is right behind him.... and he gets him prepped for a chokeslam. Strowman counters with a chokeslam of his own but Lesnar breaks up the pin and then...

German suplex the first, German suplex the second, German suplex the third! Strowman then gets Lesnar up and BANG through the first table. Cover for two but Kane breaks things up. Wow! Then Strowman gets Kane up but Kane counters and gets Strowman through the table with a whimper.

Kane gets another Chokeslam and this time connects, covers, but Lesnar breaks it up, gets Kane up for an F5 and it hits! One, two, but Strowman picks Lesnar OFF Kane for a German of his own. Strowman then flings Lesnar into the barricade.

He sets up an announce table, but Lesnar has his wits about him and grabs Strowman and F5s him through the table himself. Lesnar lifts up the announce table WHOLE and topples it over Braun Strowman. Incredible stuff.

Then it's Kane up for another chokeslam but Lesnar F5s him on to the Spanish announce table, Kane bounces off and then goes through the table. Then somehow Braun Strowman SHRUGS OFF A TABLE. Both men stare each other out on the outside.

Strowman kicks Lesnar into the steps and then flings him into the ring. Lesnar struggles around, and then a powerslam from Strowman to Lesnar. Then another. Kane gets involved with two strikes to the back of Strowman, then two to the chest. Heavens.

Kane borrows The Undertaker's throat slit motion, picks up Lesnar for a Tombstone but Lesnar wriggles out, and bounces Kane into Strowman. Kane bounces back, into an F5, on to a chair. Or table. Or Both. And that's that.

WINNER and STILL WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPION: Brock Lesnar

Ridiculous, wonderful, stupid, violent, breathless, endlessly entertaining stuff. That was better than it had ANY right to be. It was hardly a technical wrestling masterclass, but as a pure, absurd spectacle it would be a struggle to top that. Kane may have been a gooseberry going in, but that extra element helped keep everything ticking over during the pandemonium. People may be miffed about Lesnar retaining the title, but we've never been shy about our love for The Beast here at Digital Spy. And we take back what we said about Strowman's time coming... title or not, Strowman's time is NOW and he's living it so well. A

Women's Royal Rumble

Maria Menounos returns as a ring announcer, while Stephanie McMahon joins the announce team, with the table flanked by Raw and SmackDown champs Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair. First in is Sasha Banks, and second in is fellow horsewoman Becky Lynch.

They lock up, Sasha fails to hit a backstabber, Becky hits two armdrags and then applies an armbar. Sasha goes for a Banks Statement. In at three is one of the Riott Squad... it's Sarah Logan. She starts stomping Becky Lynch, who responds after Sahsa Banks breaks it up.

Logan gets Becky on the ropes, Sasha gets involved (and Corey rightly questions it). Logan knocks out Banks with a headbutt. Logan goes back to stomping Becky. In at four, one of Absolution... Mandy Rose (who you may remember from the underrated Tough Enough revival, too).

Mandy has Sasha on the top rope but she gets back to the ring. Still no eliminations. In at five it's a SHOCK RETURN for Lita. Becky and Sasha double team her, but she hits back with a double clothesline. Mandy Rose thwacks Lita from the apron and turns to celebrate. Daft...

And in next, it's Mae Young Classic winner and NXT signing Kairi Sane. She gets straight to work on Sarah, Sasha, and Becky. She walks the plank and flies into Lita in the corner. She goes to the top and strikes Logan. Then a neckbreaker on Sasha. What an entrance! Back to the top, MASSIVE ELBOW on to Sasha. Another elbow to Becky Lynch this time.

In next is Tamina. Dishing out superkicks all round, but Lita hits her with a massive Twist of Fate, then to Sasha, then to Becky. Then to the top rope... double Moonsault on to Becky and Sasha. 'You still got it' chants ring out and my god, she really does. Tamina goes for her...

TAMINA is eliminated by Lita

LITA is eliminated by Becky Lynch

It's Dana Brooke in next. She goes flying into everyone, and powers Sane into the corner, before powering her over the top rope.

KAIRI SANE is eliminated by Dana Brooke

Next in is another Attitude Era veteran, it's Torrie Wilson! She goes for Dana and Sasha, then Becky, showing that she too still has it, before being floored by Sarah Logan, who then kicks Dana in the head.

Banks again gets involved when Logan looks poised to eliminate Torrie. Torrie gets Dana on the apron over the top and then...

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DANA BROOKE is eliminated by Torrie Wilson

Next up it's Absolution's Sonya Deville, who looks like she means business. Sonya goes for Sasha Banks in a big way, while Torrie and Sarah continue to scuffle. Sonya tosses Becky on to the apron but she hangs on and rolls back in.

Sonya gets Torrie on the apron, then there's a massive kick and...

TORRIE WILSON is eliminated by Sonya Deville

Another Riotter... it's Liv Morgan. She flies into the bodies already there, meting out damage to Sasha Banks. She joins forces with stablemate Sarah Logan versus Sasha. Becky breaks it up, and in at 12 is another vet – it's Molly Holly.

Molly then somersaults off the ring into Sasha Banks. Incredible stuff! Next up at lucky 13 is Lana. Liv and Sonya join forces to batter poor Lana. And on Rusev Day, too. The rest of the ring clears out as Lana metes out a slap to Sonya and fists at Liv. In at 14 is ANOTHER vet – Michelle McCool.

Michelle thwacks Liv, then Sonya, then Liv, then back to Sonya. She gets Sonya on the top and...

Halfway point... the last Riotter.. Ruby Riott. Sasha Banks gets Riott on the apron early, but she gets back in. Becky gets her on the apron too... could she be eliminated early? Ruby gets back in and floors Becky, Meanwhile Sasha is on the apron, but she counters and gets Michelle there. Frantic stuff!

Absent from Raw 25 was Vickie Guerrero, but she's in the Royal Rumble! She calls to be excused a few more times, and gets everyone watching her. They all shake their poor ears. She thinks better of this and tries to crawl out the ring...

Carmella is out next, still waving that Chekhov's gun of a Money in the Bank briefcase, waggling it so much it annoys Vicky to the pint where the ex-GM floors her with it before she even gets to the ring! Next in is Natalya.

Carmella yanks her off the apron and gets in the ring herself, dishing out kicks to Michelle and Sasha. In at 19 is yet ANOTHER vet, Kelly Kelly.

Natalya thinks she has her out early, but nope. Then it's Michelle vs Kelly, and Kelly gets the better of that one. Then it happens...

MICHELLE McCOOL is eliminated by Natalya

Number 20. Naomi. Fell the glow. Naomi hits Nattie with a headscissors and dishes out some rear views before Sasha stops her momentum. Naomi hits back with a big kick, but Becky floors her with a kick.

Nattie has Kelly Kelly on the top rope, but Becky intervenes. Ruby Riott has Becky over the top and Ruby BITES HER KNUCKLES so she lets go and...

BECKY LYNCH is eliminated by Ruby Riott

Next in is Jacqueline. Another vet! She starts flinging bodies around. Now things will get interesting. Nia Jax joins proceedings...

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JACQUELINE is eliminated by Nia Jax

KELLY KELLY is eliminated by Nia Jax

Nia lifts Ruby Riot up like she's nothing, and then flings her on to the top turnbuckle and finishes the job...

RUBY RIOTT is eliminated by Nia Jax

Naomi squares up and they have a good exchange, Naomi ends up on the ropes, and then Nia kicks her off. Naomi ends up being caught by a coterie of women, and ends up stuck straddling on the barricade! Still not technically eliminated.

Next in is NXT Women's Champion Ember Moon, with a bandaged up arm after her efforts at TakeOver last night. She shows no fear against Nia Jax, despite her injury. Ember takes a big hit from Nia and ends up on her injured arm.

Naomi goes full Kofi! She walks the barricade, orders Maria off the chair, rolls it over to the steps and walks out. She goes FULL Kofi with her efforts going unrewarded... jumping back in, being caught by Nia and...

NAOMI is eliminated by Nia Jax

In next is former Men's Royal Rumble entrant Beth Phoenix, who eliminated the Great Khali way back when. Beth goes toe-to-toe but can't lift Nia at the first attempt, but she does at the second attempt. But can't get her over the top.

Nattie gets back into the ring and joins forces with Beth, they knock Nia through the middle rope, then Beth and Natalya embrace in the middle of the ring. Awwwww. Then Nattie breaks first, striking Beth, and...

BETH PHOENIX is eliminated by Natalya

At the sticky end now, and in at 25 is Asuka. Carmella flees! Sasha and Nattie take big hits, and then Carmella, and then Ember Moon faces up to her old NXT rival. Ember Moon working with one arm, but hits a one-armed eclipse! Amazing stuff. Asuka dodges the elimination attempt though, and then makes good use of Ember's injured arm...

EMBER MOON is eliminated by Asuka

Next in is Mickie James, who's turned back the clock on WWETV in recent weeks and months. She floors Asuka off the top, but gets cornered by Natalya. Some near eliminations and then... a recent vet – Nikki Bella!

She gets some joy with a kick to Sasha and a spear to Nattie. She eyes up Charlotte's title and then gets back to it. Carmella moonwalks away from Nikki and does the old five knuckle shuffle before flying into the corner. But Nikki has her revenge, getting her on her shoulders and eventually...

CARMELLA is eliminted by Nikki Bella

Asuka floors Nikki, then we're at number 28... it's Nikki's twin sister Brie Bella, out of retirement. She responds to the Yes chants positively with some Yessing of her own, beating up Nattie, Mickie James, Asuka and Sasha. Then more Yessing and the twins together again. They knock Nia to the floor, but she's still not gone over the top.

Next up at 29 is Bayley. She makes a fine entrance throwing people around, but can't hit a Bayley-to-belly on Asuka and eats a big kick for her troubles. Now the last entrant. It's... Trish Stratus. We're relieved that it wasn't Ronda Rousey, to be honest,and delighted to see the Hall of Famer.

A Double Stratisfaction hits both Bella Twins, she then headscissors Bayley off the top turnbuckle. Trish and Mickie face off in the middle of the ring, and it's like old times. They soak it up before coming to blows. Mickie ends up on the ropes...

Then Nia knocks down Trisha and EVERYONE storms into Nia, but she shrugs them off. Then Asuka kick Nia to the ropes and from the outside the Bellas both grab her and lift her, and then all the other women get involved.

She soaks up the elimination, but behind her is Asuka. She slowly realises as she turns round and the Raw women stare things out. It looks like they decide to join forces, but Sasha decides against it and attacks Asuka, and lets the Bellas pick up the scraps.

Sasha then gets back involved but as she goes to hit the stomp on Asuka the Bellas join forces and...

SASHA BANKS is eliminated by Nikki Bella and Brie Bella

They team up again and try to eliminate Asuka but she powers out. We're down to three now. She starts hitting the kicks one after the other to each of the twins. Both women are down. As Asuka tries to eliminate Brie, Nikki makes the save.

Nikki then drops Asuka with the Rack Attack. And then, not for the first time, Nikki Bella turns on her sister!

BRIE BELLA is eliminated by Nikki Bella

And we're down to two. Asuka hits a dropkick off the top. Both women are down after a big, big kick from Nikki. Nikki gets to her feet first. Back up to her shoulders, on to the apron over the ropes, she swallows a big forearm but keeps her grip.

Nikki bounces off the rope but catches Nikki with a massive kick, and then gets Nikki up from the outside.... both women are on the apron having gone over the top and very much at risk. There's an exchange of blows, but from the floor Asuka sweeps Nikki's legs from under her...

NIKKI BELLA is eliminated by Asuka

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WINNER: ASUKA

A massive success for a history-making match. A great mix of old and new entrants. If there were one or two too many vets they were well spaced and every single returning woman absolutely still had it, so it wasn't a problem. Plus the current squad and NXT call ups all showed just how long-overdue this Rumble was. It was the right call not to have Ronda Rousey overshadow the first Women's Royal Rumble, and Asuka is a deserving and brilliant winner. A

Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss join the winner of the first ever Women's Royal Rumble in the ring, and flank her with their respective titles. She decides to keep her powder dry on a decision about her WrestleMania opponent... but then.

RONDA ROUSEY IS HERE AFTER ALL!

She comes to the ring... and stands opposite the trio and points at the WrestleMania sign. She eyes up Charlotte but sticks out her hand to Asuka, who flicks it away with a flourish. She points back up at the sign. Not quite sure WHAT is happening right now.

Ronda goes to Stephanie and they shake hands, their altercation at WrestleMania 31 clearly forgiven for now, if not forgotten. Michael Cole rambles about "breaking news on social media," the tease. We'll find out what this all means soon enough.

WWE Royal Rumble 2018 – Digital Spy verdict

A night that started very slowly with a trio of not-very-warm pre-show matches exploded into life with the pay-per-view proper. Every single match was of quality, and the two Royal Rumbles and the Triple Threat were all A-standard, worthy main events in themselves.

It wasn't just a great night in itself, but across the card things have been set up so nicely as we take that first step on the Road to WrestleMania 34 in New Orleans. Shinsuke Nakamura vs AJ Styles should hopefully be a classic, and there are plenty of exciting avenues pretty much everywhere else on the card for both Raw and SmackDown, for the men AND women.

Steph on the mic for the headline Rumble was perhaps a little too reverent of the moment, but her presence helped keep the men in check and underline just how special this was when they were a little exhausted by what came before. After the messy first Women's Money in the Bank match, the WWE really pulled it out of the bag tonight.

A

What did you think of WWE Royal Rumble 2018? Let us know at @digitalspywwe.